Description

Cyclocross

Distance - 1-20 miles (you decide)

CYCLOCROSS

Come learn the basics of Cyclocross or sharpen your existing Cyclocross skills at this pre-season clinic for all types of riders! Learn and practice the skills needed for cyclocross. Seasoned riders will be on-hand to teach and mentor the art of cyclocross.

Bring your Cyclocross or Mountain Bike, a helmet and your sense of adventure! Invite your friends to join the fun!

Who is this clinic for? - It's designed for riders of all levels, the clinic covers the basics for newcomers while giving experienced racers a chance to fine-tune their technique and race-day prep.

If you like it, we have cyclocross practice at different Des Moines parks every Tuesday from the last week in August through the first Tuesday in November.

Check out the practices and BIKEIOWA.com/CROSS for all things cross.

Want to know more?  Read this "Cyclocross How-To Guide"

Cyclocross Practices are held AT YOUR OWN RISK!

** PLEASE sign a waiver at your first practice before you participate. **

LOCATION

Stone Park!  Our old stomping grounds for all the Renegade practices and races for years. A vibrant 15.5-acre community park originally acquired by the city in 1925 and renamed in 1954 in honor of Irving E. Stone, who donated its iconic shelter and wading pool. Today, Stone Park offers a modern, rubber-surfaced playground, a sprayground, four pickleball courts, a full-size basketball court, and a futsal court while still leaving plenty of room for cyclocross practice!

You can park on either side of the park, but the clinic and practice will start from the West side.

Route

In addition to the clinic, we'll have a full-sized practice course laid our for those wanting to just ride laps and practice.

We will have small cyclocross stations with seasoned experts set up to teach skills. Various members from the local racing scene will provide instruction on the following:

Clinic Agenda

5:30 pm – Welcome & Intro

• Sign waivers

• Intro to cyclocross

• Weekly practices overview

• Review 2026 race schedule

• Take a few practice laps

6:00 pm – Skills Stations (rotating groups) - 15 minutes each

1. Cornering & Line Choice – Inside/outside turns, braking, shifting, carrying speed

2. Off-Camber & Uneven Terrain – Side hills, ruts, traction, balance

3. Mounts, Dismounts & Barriers – Footwork, timing, shifting, smooth remounts

4. Run-Up Techniques – When to run vs ride, shouldering, momentum

5. Starts, Passing & Race Situations – Fast clip-ins, sprint starts, positioning

7:30 pm – Race Day Essentials: From Start Line to Finish Line
A group session with coaches sharing tips and answering questions on:

• Bike setup

• Tire pressure & seat height

• Fitness & nutrition

• Gear & what to bring

• What to expect on race day

• Tactics & strategy

• Wrap-Up & Open Q&A

8:00 pm – Course open for extra practice laps (but it may be dark!)

There will be chances for Q & A throughout the clinic.

Registration

Free!! You will be asked to sign a waiver BEFORE the clinic.

Please don't ride until you've signed the waiver. You only have to sign it once per practice season.

PLEASE see one of the coordinators before practice.

 

Contact

Scott Sumpter

Biker@BIKEIOWA.com

Jason Scholbrock

jaybrock17@yahoo.com